The chalk platform extends across the shore and out to sea, with deep sand-filled gullies between tall ridges of chalk covered in seaweeds, sponges and anemones. Large crabs and lobsters find shelter within the chalk in recesses, while baby cuttlefish swim around the outcrops, demonstrating their amazing camouflage.

Farther offshore, the chalk gradually becomes covered in coarse sediments. Here, thousands of sandy tubes made by tiny ross worms form significant reefs which can harbour a wonderful diversity of wildlife and support the whole food web.

This recommended Marine Conservation Zone is under consideration for the second tranche of MCZs

This site is very important for the network. The consultation proposes 13 features for protection in this MCZ, including 7 broad habitat types, one species (the native oyster) and 5 habitat feature of conservation importance.

Defra notes that the site contains the best example in the region of wave-cut chalk platform shores, and that St Margaret’s Bay has one of the richest communities of seaweeds in the south east. The subtidal chalk reefs and blue mussel beds are other important habitat features listed for protection. This site contains the best example in the region of rossworm reefs, which unusually occur on the chalk shore as well as in the subtidal area. Defra’s consultation states that the site helps to address a gap in the network for rossworm reefs, and for intertidal under-boulder communities - periodic cliff falls result in areas of the shore being covered in chalk boulders, which provide refuge for sponges and other attached animal life on the damp and shaded undersides.

It is disappointing that the site boundary has been moved 500m away from Dover harbour wall which will exclude areas of important intertidal and subtidal chalk. It is disappointing that 6 broad habitat types present in the site have been omitted from the list of features to protect, due to insufficient evidence.

We need you to help ensure that this site is designated. Show your support for this site by responding to the current consultation: www.wildlifetrusts.org/savemczs.

Dive video of this site

Location map

Contains UKHO Law of the Sea data. Crown copyright and database right and contains Ordnance Survey Data Crown copyright and database 2012